Novartis, HCMC University Medical Center Strengthen Collaboration to Advance Medical Innovation and Healthcare Training in Vietnam

Novartis Vietnam Ltd. (‘Novartis Vietnam’), an affiliate of Novartis, a global healthcare company, and the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh city (UMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2025 – 2027 period, marking a new milestone in their long-term partnership established since 2021. The agreement aims to foster medical innovation, expand clinical research capabilities, and strengthen healthcare workforce training to improve patient outcomes in Vietnam.

Under the MOU, the collaboration focuses on four key areas:

• Developing and expanding the Center of Excellence (CoE) model: The partnership includes knowledge sharing on the implementation of the Lipid Control Center (LCC) model, alongside a series of clinical pharmacy capability-building programs, and the coordinated introduction of new treatment therapies across multiple fields including heart failure, LDL-C lipid disorders, oncology, hematology, and nephrology.
• Enhancing healthcare professionals’ capabilities: The partnership strengthens collaboration and organizing of Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, scientific conferences, workshops, medical information updates, and specialized training for medical staff, contributing to improved clinical diagnosis and treatment quality.
• Advancing clinical research cooperation according to international standards: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of potential innovative treatment solutions. This partnership is an important foundation to enable UMC to gain earlier access to Novartis’ cutting-edge therapies from its global research network, including studies on lupus nephritis, diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis, IgA nephropathy, cardio-vascular metabolic diseases, and non-radiographic axial spondylarthritis (nr-axSpA).
• Expanding patient-oriented programs: The partnership has proven that online consultations, community and patient education, improvement of care quality, and guidance on managing adverse drug reactions – empowering patients to take a more proactive role in their treatment journey and improve their quality of life.

Novartis Vietnam, University Medical Center of HCMC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 2025 – 2027 period

A sustainable collaboration journey between Novartis and UMC

Since 2021, Novartis and UMC have built a strong partnership across multiple initiatives in clinical capacity building, medical research, and professional training, including:

• 2021 – 2024: Launch of the Heart Failure Clinic, a pioneering model that enabled effective management and follow-up of 1,400 heart failure patients. The clinic also became a training and reference center for other hospitals within the healthcare network.
• From 2022: Expansion of the collaboration through the Spondylarthritis (SpA) Clinic, focusing on early diagnosis, optimal disease management, and improved treatment adherence for patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
• 2023 – 2025: Implementation of the UMC Health – Transplant Project, where the UMC Care app has supported over 1,000 transplant patients in managing their post-transplant treatment journey.
• 2024 – 2025: Establishment of the Lipid Control Center (LCC) to standardize screening and treatment processes according to international guidelines and provide multidisciplinary training for healthcare professionals.

Moving forward from 2025, Novartis and UMC will continue expanding their partnership across core areas, including treatment enhancement, professional education, and clinical research. Ongoing initiatives include the UMC Health Project for transplant patients, the Lipid Control Center Project for LDL-C management, and the SpA Optimal Management Program for patients with axial spondylarthritis.

Collaboration in medical education will also be strengthened through the Education Partnership Program, Continuous Medical Education program, clinical pharmacy training, and patient education. In parallel, Novartis and UMC will participate in Novartis Global Trials, with six ongoing clinical studies in Vietnam focusing on innovative therapies, aiming to bring advanced treatment options and improved quality of life to Vietnamese patients.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Vice Director of UMC, has a discussion with Novartis representatives at the MOU signing ceremony

Commenting on the partnership with Novartis Vietnam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Dinh, Vice Director of UMC, affirmed:” With the vision and orientation to become the leading university hospital in Vietnam and meet international standards, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh city is always committed to providing optimal healthcare solutions through the integration of treatment, research and training. Over the years, the Hospital has focused on developing high-quality human resources, improving professional capacity, standardizing processes, promoting digital transformation and expanding global clinical research. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Novartis contributes to expanding the network of strategic partners accompanying the Hospital, bringing more new opportunities in training, treatment and contributing to realizing the vision of an innovative medicine for the health of patients.”

Mr. Jondy Syjuco, Country President of Novartis Vietnam, speaks at the signing ceremony

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Jondy Syjuco, Country President of Novartis Vietnam, emphasized: “As a leading global pharmaceutical innovator, Novartis is deeply committed to supporting Vietnam’s healthcare system achieve the vision for a sustainable, innovation-driven, and patient-centered healthcare system. We fully align with the Government of Vietnam’s strategic direction toward innovation-led healthcare development. The signing of this comprehensive MOU with the University Medical Center HCMC today is a concrete testament to that commitment. By combining Novartis’ global research strength and innovation capabilities with leading hospitals, we aim to advance clinical research, strengthen medical capacity, and accelerate technology adoption in healthcare – enabling patients in Vietnam to access advanced, high-quality therapies sooner. Novartis takes pride in being a trusted partner of Vietnam’s healthcare system, keeping patients at the center of everything we do, and maintaining a long-term commitment to improving healthcare quality for the Vietnamese people.”

Following the signing ceremony, Novartis leadership visited and held a professional working session with UMC experts to discuss the roadmap for research and application of siRNA-based lipid-lowering therapy, aiming to integrate advanced therapeutic solutions into clinical practice to enhance patient management and treatment outcomes.

With a shared vision for advancing medical innovation, the MOU between Novartis and the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City not only reinforces their strategic partnership but also contributes to Vietnam’s broader healthcare transformation, professional capability enhancement, and tangible benefits for patients nationwide.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum